At my house, for example. I use Spot Led lights that are powered by 2032 coin cell batteries, instead of high wattage bulbs.
I utilise solar battery chargers for mp3 player, palm pilots, cell phones. I use a car charger for my car battery. Just by learning how to balence the fluid, I can refurb the battery with out harming the enviorment. Or turning the battery in and pay the disposal fee.
I have also put all of my “instant on” tv’s, vcrs, and all electronics on on surge suppressors and turn the off switch to 0, when not in use.
I’m posting this to get newer ideas from other people, and maybe inspire them to use what i use. No politics here, just “What are you doing to cut down on your electric bill?
More Pages:
- Solar Lights: Help With A Simple Outdoor Solar Lighting System? (5/10/2011)
- Solar Power Facts – What are some useful Solar Power Facts that help Lower your Electric Bill
- Solar Turbines: What Are Your Thoughts On Solar Power Technology? (5/4/2011)
- Solar Energy For Home – Does My Solar Electric System Have To Include Batteries?
- Solar Panel: How Much Do Solar Panel Roofs Save On Your Electricity Bill? (5/19/2011)
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Turn off your computer.
Well I don’t leave lights on all the time.
Other than that, nothing. My electric bill isn’t high.
Most of these make sense. But the use of hideously expensive batteries to drive LEDs is nonsense. Use CFL’s, and get more light at far less cost to the environment — and to your pocketbook. The car battery business is also nonsensical; the usual mode of battery failure isn’t curable by just replacing the acid — you get shorted cells, and that means that the battery is trash.
Hang your laundry out to try instead of running the clothes dryer.
only 10% of your electric bill is usually lighting for most homes but you can get those new flourescent bulbs that use much less power. most homes largest cost, about 40-55% is their hot water heater, focus on that. Maintain it properly, get an insulation blanket for it, turn it down as far as you can stand it and use hot water sparingly. If it is an old model, replace it with a new one, preferably a gas model which is more efficient and uses no electricity.
Run my pool filters as much as I like.
Get TAP Attic Insulation, Google, you will find it to be self explanatory. Excellent product, so happy I chose this particular brand. I have yet to turn on my air, because it makes that much of a difference. They give you a certificate that can be filed with your taxes, which allows a tax credit, dollar for dollar at 10% off of the total cost. Get 1-2 Oscillating Stand up Fans. If you face them towards a window, it will suck hot air out of the room and create a draft, on a hot day. Google, Power Saver 1200, my electric bill has been reduced $ 17 for the last two months. If you close one window and open another, it increases air velocity with a fan that is turned inward towards the room. Ceiling fans are great to have in the mix. Take a cool shower, or cool bath. If you have a washer and dryer, dry larger loads. Open windows at night, if not humid outside. The night air will cool your residence down, by morning. As earlier mentioned, flourescent lights make a notiecable difference. Again, under the current tax system, if you install a ceiling fan and keep the receipt and keep your receipt for the flourescent lights, it too qualifies towards a tax credit no more than $ 500.00 reported to the Fed. Now this is an old, old grandma technique, but it still works. If you have a table fan, put ice in a large bowl and set it in front of the fan on the highest setting. The air will blow cooler. As the ice melts you will get a cool mist blown in your directon. Try it. Last but not least, be sure you know how to read your electric bill, if you have a question call the electric company and schedule someone to come out and read your meter. Then have them show you. This way you know how to hold them accountable and better understand how you are spending your money for electrcity. My bill is $ 60-to$ 82 without the use of an air conditioner. When you turn on your computer, I hope this helps. lol.
Wash our own dishes, not the dishwasher. Better Windows, insulation ect. The typical stuff, like you.
I gave up driving last August to save on Gas and to be a little more responsible. Started riding my bike and the bus. I’m 47 years old. I put an Electric Motor on my Bicycle (A little lazy too), so I have to charge it everyday. Costs about an extra $ 5 a month in Electric Bill, but it’s woth it……..
Also, try Candles instead of lights. My wife likes that one.
I’m switching to CFL as my old bulbs quit. Also had them install an on-off switch for my water heater so I only turn it on when I need hot water in the morning & evening. And since most of my major appliances have quit in the past 2 years, I’ve been paying more attention to the cost of use and not so much to the cost of buying it and buying energy star appliances. I also have a programmable thermostat since we use the AC in So. Fla. almost year round.
1. using electric fan rather that the aircon
2. ironing the clothes twicw a week
3. turn all the lights when not in use
Fluorescent bulbs in whole house. Radiant roof barrier to keep house cool, comfortable for more efficient A/C. Well maintained A/C system that is balanced and keeps humidity down. Undersized coil to remove humidity more efficiently and make for better cooling and efficiency. Ridge vents on house and continuous soffit vents for air flow and greater efficiency. Double paned windows. Proper attic insulation. Tyvek Home Wrap to allow house to breath yet keep wind and rain out. Lots of other ideas too.
Stop watching TV. It is evil anyhow..
Honestly I think one good way a person should go about saving electricty is to be an advocate to power companys because they are creating power in ways that could be better (coal) vs (neuclear). I know I know neuclear power isnt very liked right now but honestly if you do some more research you will learn interesting facts like the fact that coal actualy contains trace elements wich are radioactive and when they burn it these radioactive elements get into our atmosphere unless properly filtered. Also I would argue that cutting down on our power production over all would be a great thing. For many reasons but the main reseason I see for cutting back on power production is the fact that it may be harming our earths own magnetic shield around it. The electrical generators on the earths surface could be damageful to earths magnetic core. While I dont have any real proff of this I do think its something worth looking into and come to your own conclusion about.
I hardly ever run the air conditioning. Occasionally, if it gets unbearably hot, I will turn it on long enough to cool things off, like for an hour or two, and then I turn it off. *sm*